Cobalt, Ontario

[Axle]

One of my favourite towns to visit in northern Ontario is the little town of Cobalt. You haven't heard of Cobalt? I'm not surprised, it's fame is long distant.

It all started in 1903, when the Temiskaming & North Ontario Railroad (now known as Ontario Northland Railroad) was working on extending their line north to New Liskeard and the Temiskaming Claybelt (a rich agricultural area of the north). A man, a blacksmith to be exact by the last name of LaRose discovered silver, which triggered a rush in 1906. Silver in Cobalt was so close to the surface that you could literally throw a rock and find some.

Cobalt made the fortunes of many men such as Sir Henry Pellat (Toronto's Casa Loma) and Noah Timmins (who went on to earn even more at the Porcupine Gold Rush and now has a city named after him). In fact speculation on the silver being pulled from Cobalt caused riots on wall street in New York City. By 1911 30,000,000 ounces of high grade silver had flowed from the town. It came to an end in the 1930s, and saw a brief resurgence in the 1950s. But today the town is a sleepy community that lives off it's history. It makes for a great day.

As the town's tag line says "Come for a day, Discover a Century"




This is an actual turn of the century silver mine that is open for public tours

[armando_m]

old mines are always fascinating

thanks for sharing this shots

[starriderrick]

I agree, "Fascinating" says it all. I really like that underground tunnel shot.Good stuff Alex.As always...thanks for sharing. :O)

Rick